Fort Worth daily gazette. (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1882-1891, 1887-09-12
RACE PRRJUDICEs
A Virginia College of Good Standing Re-
iscts an Israolite as "a Teacher.

iscts an Israelite as a Teacher
DALLAS, TIN Sept. 10, 1857.
To the L litor OF the Gazette.
Some few weeks ago Miss Jeanette
Goldberg of J, ferson, s graduate Of Rut-
gers Female college, New York, was ap-
pointed to the chair of moral science and
English literature in Sherwood Female
college, Stsunton, Va. Miss Goldberg
had concluded preparations to start tor
her post OF duty, when last Monday the
young Isdy received the following letter
from the principal Of the colleges:
Miss Jeanette Goldberg:
l trust you viii pardon my conduct, but
experience and observation have long
since taught ne that ''lonesty is the best
policy" 10 10 the time Of my personal
interview l had no idea you were by birth
srd raligiOn IA IsrselIte. Even after l
knew the fact, ! was so agreea6lY im-
pressed with your brightness g ! had
! oesn previously, with your let
! tiers tha. I took time TO com
mun.cate with my business fuends
WHO know well the peculiar condition
which SURROUND our schools and the COR
diuons necessary for success. While
neither they nor l have any prejudice
against your people and their reugion,
yet, situated as We are, namely, com
| petlrg for schOIers with other schools,
an afraid these two facts would De ia the
| highest degree detrimental TO the success
OF my school, and make your stay unpleas-
ant, which would be source Of regre-
ana friction to me. This being the case
much to my regret, | am forced
to ask you to release me
from the engagement, This request is dc
| tated by no other motive than Ghose
stated above, and trust my candid state
mant OF the difficulty will be appreciated
| by you auC kindly received.
l. WAS unfortunate inst you did not
mention this when YOU wrote applying
for the position. Vita high expressions
Of esteem and regard | am respectfully,
j. L. MASSEY.
Following is a copy of Miss GoldoeTg's
reply TO Professor Massey:
JEFFERSON, Tx, Sept. 5, 1857.
| air. j L. Massey.
This morn ngjyour letter was received
and must confess | was astounded at the
contents. Ii seems utterly incredible tC
me tha, in the nineteenth century among
people who claim 10 be enlightened, there
should exist such bitter prejudice.
Alas, poor, mario minded victims, il
is time 20 endeavor to eradicate these sen.
timants CT bigotTy. l thank God l hevl
Jewish blood in my veins and am proud Of
my glorious faith-Judaism. We are toe
sensible and libersl-minded to entertain
feelings Of prejudice.
Now thAt recall the circumstance when
you asked me OF what denomination |
wss, when replied "a Jewess,"a shade O.
displeasure crossed your face, but l ct
t8Ched no Importance 10 It. | gladly re-
lease you from your engagement and an
delighted to be free from it, as | WOulC
not uadeT any circumstance teach or have
any connection with 8 school where suct
bitter ennity exists. Well might yol
ssy, you have nothing against the Hebrew
rice, the chosen people CT God, as yol
could advance no argument whatever o.,
question l ash you to reply 10 is: "Woult
you sccep. . Jewish young lady SIS stu
dent IN your school if she cared to 81
tend?"
think you woul5, as there would b
gain in connection with il. Nov, es
t sure yCu, II it is il my power. you VII
never receive 8 Jewish pupil IN yeu
school, and it will be made known WHY
; have two jewish young ladies' VINO waI
t. leave with me for your school, bu
] they 90 elsewhere now, as l will see th;.
] they shall. l have Jewish friends i
; Richmond and other places in Virgin
= OF weslth and influence, and you will dis
cover your fatal mistake ia hsv ing wit
! ten me IS you did. I censure you 10
! not having told me CT your prejudice
when you were here. as you aid nc
D apparently have the bravery to tell it /
: me personally but wait two days befor
E leave to write such letter. II 30
don't know it, will inform you that
an surrounded by all that heart can wis
e for and it is only my own fancy that hs
/ been prompting me 10 join the rank Of
0 teacher.
e This is the second time my faith BIS
: been taken into consideration. When
4 graduated Mr.. Marquand of Maine d
!, msnded my well-earned vsledictor
: should be denied me because l was "
s Jewess," but ne soon found GU. anon